The Kennedys: The American Experience on WXXI-TV

Behind the Kennedy brothers burned the unrelenting ambition of their father who instilled in them his own dreams of the presidency.

Credit: Courtesy JFK Library

This is an American story unlike any other: a saga of ambition, wealth, family loyalty and personal tragedy.

On August 25, 2008, just two months after undergoing surgery for a malignant brain tumor, ‚ÄúThe Lion of the Senate‚ÄĚ and the Kennedy family‚Äôs lone male survivor ‚ÄĒ Edward M. Kennedy ‚ÄĒ surprised attendees with an unscheduled speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. ‚ÄúAs I look ahead, I am strengthened by family and friendship. So many of you have been with me in the happiest days and the hardest days. Together we have known success and seen setbacks, victory and defeat,‚ÄĚ Kennedy said. The Kennedy story is unlike any other: a saga of ambition, wealth, family loyalty and personal tragedy. From patriarch Joseph Kennedy‚Äôs rise on Wall Street and frustrations in politics, John Kennedy‚Äôs march to the White House, Robert Kennedy‚Äôs near-certain presidential victory, preempted only by his tragic death, through Edward Kennedy‚Äôs withdrawal from the 1980 presidential race following the scandal of Chappaquiddick, the family legacy continues to influence politics.

The Kennedys: The American Experience airs Monday, February 15 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV (DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11).

Television's most-watched history series, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE has been hailed as "peerless" (Wall Street Journal), "the most consistently enriching program on television" (Chicago Tribune) and "a beacon of intelligence and purpose" (Houston Chronicle). On air and online, the series brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that have shaped America's past and present. Acclaimed by viewers and critics alike, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE documentaries have been honored with every major broadcast award, including 24 Emmy Awards, four duPont-Columbia Awards and 14 George Foster Peabody Awards.

This program is offered with Descriptive Video (DVi), which provides concise descriptions of the sets, scenery, costumes, action, and other important visual elements between the dialogue of the program.